Nurse-Midwifery

Overview

Midwifery education is a synthesis drawing upon the student’s maturity and willingness to take an active responsibility for their learning and the faculty’s experience and knowledge of the profession. While learning styles of students may vary, mutual respect between students and faculty solidifies the midwifery educational process at NYU Meyers. Nurse-Midwifery is a blending of science balanced by art, the learning of theory is simultaneously reinforced by practical hands on application and experience. In the end students are maturated not merely with knowledge of midwifery but experience in its practical, clinical application.

The faculty’s commitment to didactic learning of a specific knowledge base is not compromised by a focus on imparting the Midwifery Model of Care. The faculty instills belief in the right of every woman to receive care in the context of her uniqueness in all dimensions, namely, the spiritual, emotional, psychological, psychosocial and physical. The Midwifery Model of Care, respects, enhances and supports the normal physiological process while understanding the importance of independent, consultative and referral practice components.

Program content is based on American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) core competencies for basic midwifery practice. An evidenced-based approach to teaching midwifery competency is utilized by a faculty representing a range of expertise in all areas and places of midwifery practice. Students are encouraged through a problem based learning approach to actively participate in their education as well as that of their colleagues. At NYU Meyers we teach our student nurse-midwives how to be self educators/learners. Ultimately, the goal is not merely competency but an understanding that midwifery education is a career long process. In order to sustain competency, evaluation of care through self-examination, evaluation of practice as part of continuous quality improvement (CQI) and development of the evidence base for practice through research are essential to setting and maintaining standards.

The provision of comprehensive, integrated, ethical care requires cultural awareness, sensitivity and competence on the part of the practitioner. In addition to core competencies and comprehension of the Midwifery Model of Care, student nurse-midwives are also given an understanding of the commitment that is expected of them as members of the profession at large. Nurse-Midwives are advocates for the needs of women throughout their life span. They must be socially and politically vigilant and active in ensuring that public policies effectively ensure women’s health needs. Student midwives are groomed as future leaders. Midwifery is not just a career, it is a calling. All of this represents the philosophy and the commitment of the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing Nurse-Midwifery Program.